23 October, 2013

CCK readies for Phase one of analog signal switch off

Initial trial for digital television is complete, paving way for the biggest shake up in terrestrial TV viewing

Nairobi, 23rd October 2013… The government has today announced December 13th
as the date that the analogue signal will be turned off in Nairobi and
its’ environs, commencing the first phase of the switch to digital
television.

CCK Director General with Cabinet Secretary for ICT together with Smart Joker and Principal Secretary ICT

Under
this phase, the areas of and around Nairobi County, Kiambu County,
Ngong, Ongáta Rongai, Kitengela, Isinya, Kajiado, Athi River, Machakos
and Thika will go live followed
by Mombasa, Malindi, Nyeri, Meru, Kisumu, Webuye, Kisii, Nakuru and
Eldoret in phase two (30th March 2014) and the final phase for the
rest of the regions by 30th June 2014.

“Under the scheme the country will receive more than 40 free
to air (FTA) high-definition channels, thanks to expanded channel
capacity. The digital platform will make it possible to accommodate
more broadcast content, therefore widening the consumers’ choice of
viewership. The switch to digital broadcasting will
mean more vibrant television viewing as more channels become available
on the platform”, Said Dr.Fred Matiang’i – ICT Secretary.

Digital broadcasting is expected to cover at least 80% of the Kenyan population, bringing access to digital television and marking
the end of the analog transmission technology.

“The
digital platform will not only create more TV choice for consumers but
also free up vital capacity that will avail a variety of enhanced
broadcasting applications, multimedia
data and entertainment services, providing a more efficient use of the
country’s broadcasting frequencies”, Said Mr. Francis Wangusi - Director
General, CCK.

An
estimated 1.2 Million households have analogue television sets. More
than 566,000 of these households in Nairobi and its environs currently
have access to digital
channels via the various modes of transmission, leaving slightly over
700,000 in need of migration to the digital platform before the
switch-off deadline.

“In
an effort to fastrack the migration process, the government has
approved over 45 set-top box models for use in the country and
eliminated duty on the same to
encourage more Kenyans to purchase the gadget and access it more
easily”, said Dr.Matiang’i

Digital
transmission is poised to bring to the viewers picture clarity, sound
access, availability of more channels and signal strength widening the
reach of television services
to all parts of the country.

“Consumer
education on the migration process is necessary to give information
about the acquisition of the set top boxes. The phased approach to the
switch off will give us
sufficient time to pre-test the signal strength before the final
national switch-off. By phasing out the process, the experience
generated from the Nairobi switch off will inform decisions on how to
switch the entire country to digital broadcasting”, added
Mr. Wangusi.

The
Country’s digital signal was launched in December 2009 and has since
seen the regulator set an ambitious target for the country to fully
migrate by June 30th 2014,
ahead of the 17th July, 2015
global deadline- a universal undertaking set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Digital
broadcasting carries more channels, which is hoped to give investors a
window to acquire content provision licenses that have been limited
under the current analogue
regime due to unavailability of spectrum. The release of spectrum from
the digital dividend will enable more services to be deployed.

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Collins Mbalo is a leading African Blogger and social Media Enthusiast .He is also the CEO and Founder of Digital Perspective (K) Ltd a Social Media Management, Marketing and Monitoring firm that helps its clients Grow ,Engage and influence its online presence.